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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
September 2</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>0</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'>, 2005</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> Colleagues:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>There have been questions about the disposition
of the capstone course issue. I thought it would be helpful to
outline what has been accomplished to date. In the fall 2004, I
asked the University Studies Committee, chaired by Dr. Rick Kreminski, to formulate
recommendations on capstone courses as they relate to the
core curriculum. The committee's recommendations were reviewed by the
deans and these recommendations were forwarded to the Faculty Senate. The full
report can be accessed at:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a
href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/coas/math/universitystudies/capstonesf2004.pdf"><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/coas/math/universitystudies/capstonesf2004.pdf</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> Dr. R. N. Singh, then chair of the
Faculty Senate, conveyed a memo to President McFarland on April 7, 2005,
outlining the Faculty Senate's guidance on four issues:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>1. Separate the capstone classes from the
core curriculum.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'> <strong><b><font
face="Times New Roman"> </font></b></strong></span></font><strong><b><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:black'>"The Faculty
Senate supports this recommendation."</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>2. Maintain the capstone as a University
graduation requirement</span></font><font color=blue><span style='color:blue'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'> </span></font><strong><b><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:black'> "The Faculty
Senate supports this recommendation, though there are strong points both
for and against this argument, and most concerns voiced were with
'lowering academic standards' by losing credit hours."</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>3. Have an entity comprised of faculty to
oversee the University required capstones.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'> </span></font><strong><b><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:black'>"The Faculty
Senate supports this recommendation."</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>4. Retain capstones within College and
Department degree programs<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in'><strong><b><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>"The
Faculty Senate recognizes that many excellent capstones have been offered over
the years and that these courses have made valuable contributions to the
education of our students. The Senate also recognizes that capstones have added
depth and breadth to the University's general education program and have
been an important reason why our University Studies curriculum is more than a
cafeteria plan. We therefore encourage Colleges and Departments to consider
retaining capstones in their degree programs."</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>The
University has placed an item on the Regents' agenda to remove the
capstone requirement from the core curriculum. This will be
considered by the Board of Regents this week. </span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>We fully concur with the continuation
of the University Studies Committee and its role but are not certain about
how to establish oversight of capstones until the colleges have acted.</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Deans' Council</span></font><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'> </span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black'>has discussed the question of retaining capstone
courses within the colleges and will complete consultation with the
respective executive committees shortly.</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Since the time of Dr. Singh's
memo, a Legislative action to reduce, yet again, the total degree
hours permitted for state subsidy (resident tuition) may influence collegiate
discussions. Under HB 1172, institutions must charge non-resident tuition
whenever a student exceeds 30 hours of credit above the minimum total hours
required for the baccalaureate degree. So, if a program requires 120
hours, a tuition surcharge goes into effect after 150 credits. I attach
some data to illuminate the issue for you as it could affect our students.
On the quality count, the Southern Association would say that
their required outcome assessment process is designed to ensure
quality. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I would like to thank the University
Studies Committee and the Faculty Senate for tackling this issue. As you
know, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has encouraged all
universities to formulate seamless transfers between two-and four-year
institutions. This action will now allow us to designate students as
"core complete" upon transfer.</span></font><font color=blue><span
style='color:blue'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Thank you for your interest in this
important issue. We will keep you apprised of the Board action and the outcomes
of collegiate discussions. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Joyce A. Scott, Provost</span></font><font
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><a
href="mailto:joyce_scott@tamu-commerce.edu">joyce_scott@tamu-commerce.edu</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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